LOCAL RIDE // CHRIS' ALFA ROMEO MILANO 2.5

Parked amongst the precious metal lining the front of Group 2 Motorsports, Chris’ late-eighties Milano is anything but vintage. An edgy design with a cult like following, you either love or hate the Alfa Romeo Milano.

With that said, Chris’ Milano is certainly a labor of love. A stock (save the cams and exhaust) 2.5-liter V6 resides beneath the hood and while the power isn’t absurd, the grip is spectacular. Chris, a technician at Group 2, has reworked the suspension, allowing the Milano to make good use of what little power it has. But it isn’t the Milano that deserves credit, it’s Chris’ ability behind the wheel that makes this Alfa Romeo a bit different from most.

At a Northwest Alfa Club meet late last season, I had the opportunity to ride with Chris around Pacific Raceways. The conditions could not have been better, we hadn’t seen rain in days and though Chris had been on track all afternoon taxing wide eyed Alfa fans around the 2.3-Mile road course, he was more than happy to take me for a spin.

As we entered the track, the Milano sprang to life, quickly gaining speed. We powered down the front straight and into the sweeping left that lies at the end of the track. Clutch in, brake hard, turn-in late. Chris' ability to maintain control on the edge was astonishing. The Milano wanted to swing out from beneath us, it’s weight shifting to the outside as we neared the apex. But Chris maintained control, adjusting as needed with slight movements of the wheel. Out of the sweeper and down the hill, the Milano nosed in slightly as Chris braked hard and turned into the esses. It was this point that Chris decided to mention to me, that not only was this Milano his track toy, but it was his daily driver and had served him well, day-to-day, for a number of years... My heart beat a little faster.

We managed a handful of laps before a stranger noise (later discovered to be a wheel bearing) brought us into the pits. Chris’ Milano, after a hard day at the track, was in need of some R&R.

A great piece of machinery, tuned by one of the Northwest's finest shops, I look forward to hanging out with Chris and his Milano this coming season. For more photos from my visit to Group 2 Motorsports, click here // 02.09.2009